DIVINA RISTORANTE, CALDWELL
What upset us? Asking for salad dressing on the side because the diner is on Weight Watchers, but the same diner also asks for extra whipped cream for their dessert. Two vegetable portions replaced the potato on the entrée and yet more vegetables were requested, as it was stated that the ample serving was too small. We cannot even imagine what the waiter was thinking but we were cringing. There was more inappropriate behavior, but I would rather tell you about the lovely food.
Divina is one of our favorite go-to restaurants. The bread is crusty and hot, the specials written out with their prices, the food delicious and the service attentive even to rude customers. Starters were a hearty and comforting ribollita soup chock-full of vegetables and cannellini beans; creamy burrata with roasted red peppers, tomatoes and greens; tender octopus in a red sauce; and a mixed green salad. The fish is always splendid here and a special of grouper in a white wine, lemon and caper sauce was exceptional. Chicken cacciatore on the bone with mushrooms was well flavored and eaten with gusto. Hand made cavatelli with porcini and shiitake mushrooms in a mushroom broth was comfort food that we adored. Dessert? Of course. pumpkin cheesecake and biscotti were distinctive ends to our dinner.
Kudos to the staff of Divina. We promise to return to your great restaurant without “family” so we can all enjoy the evening.
Burrata with roasted red peppers, tomatoes and greens.
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein
Divina Ristorante
461 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell
973-228-5228
BYO
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